Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Lake Area Technical Institute prepares students for a career in a dental office, dental supply manufacturer, hospital dental department, or insurance company. The program focuses on preparing patients and equipment for dental procedures, and office administrative functions. Program courses include: medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice. Get more details below including other South Dakota colleges that offer dental assistant program.

The Dental Assistant program at Lake Area Technical Institute is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 58 years.

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Lake Area Technical Institute

Also known as LATI/Lake Area Tech

333 Omaha St. Suite 6 & 7, Rapid City, SD

Lake Area Technical Institute, located in Watertown, South Dakota, was founded in 1965 and was South Dakota's first technical school. The school enrolls over 1,500 students a year and has had over 16,000 graduates. LATI maintains small class sizes and cutting edge facilities. LA Technical Institute is a higher education institution that believes in offering students a solid foundation upon which they may construct their success.

Academics

LATI offers 27 programs of study, 7 of which are available through online distance learning. The programs provide students with the education necessary to immediately begin a career or to transfer to a four year institution. 98% of graduates find placement in jobs or transfer to a four year university.

Programs offered include:

• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Cosmetology
• Nursing
• Financial Services
• Robotics
• Business Associate

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrolling at Lake Area Technical Institute must be at least 16 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED. Students lacking a high school diploma or GED may take an examination demonstrating that they will benefit from the education offered; students enrolled in this manner must complete their GED within the year.

LATI offers a variety of financial aid options to eligible students. Eligibility for federal programs is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be completed and submitted.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Lake Area Technical Institute has offered the following programs for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Dental Assistants

Description

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, dental assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.4% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Rapid City, SD
  • Total Employment: 170
  • Average Hourly Rate: $15.45
  • Average Annual Salary: $32140

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).